Latest news with #Local721
India Today
29-04-2025
- Health
- India Today
Over 50,000 LA County workers strike, disrupting services across region
Over 50,000 Los Angeles County employees began a two-day strike on Monday evening, demanding better wages and improved working conditions. The mass walkout, organized by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721, marks the first time all 55,000 union members have taken collective action striking workers include public health professionals, social workers, custodians, clerical staff, and parks and recreation employees — all essential personnel serving the county's 10 million Across County Facilities According to the Associated Press, the strike is expected to last until 7 p.m. on Wednesday and may temporarily affect services at libraries, healthcare clinics, beach restrooms, and administrative offices. While hospitals and many core county functions remain operational, departments such as Public Works and the medical examiner's office could experience lines were set up at multiple county locations, including Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and Department of Children and Family Services offices. Workers donned purple and held signs reading, 'We are the safety net!'Union Alleges Labor ViolationsSEIU Local 721 alleges that Los Angeles County committed 44 labor law violations during negotiations, including retaliation against union activity and outsourcing of union-designated jobs.'This workforce helped LA County navigate countless emergencies,' said union president David Green. 'Now, we demand respect, not retaliation.'advertisementCounty Responds With Budget ConcernsCounty officials point to serious financial strain as a reason for the slow progress. A spokesperson from the chief executive office cited projected costs $2 billion related to wildfires, a potential $4 billion settlement in sexual abuse settlement, and ongoing uncertainty around federal funding.'We're facing one of the worst financial challenges in our history,' said spokesperson Elizabeth Marcellino. 'We must balance fair pay with sustaining services and avoiding Frustration Fuels ActionLillian Cabral, a veteran hospital worker and member of the bargaining committee, called the strike a 'historic moment.' She said repeated delays in negotiations have demoralized workers and harmed the community.'It's unfair to us, to our patients, and to the public we serve,' she Read: Amazon launches first Operational Kuiper satellites to compete with SpaceX's Starlink
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bass proposes cutting over 1,600 city jobs amid budget deficit
The Brief Mayor Karen Bass proposed municipal layoffs to address a $1 billion budget deficit while highlighting progress in housing and homelessness. She announced initiatives to expedite rebuilding in Pacific Palisades and emphasized the need for efficient city operations and public safety improvements. Bass is seeking additional state funds to mitigate the impact of these layoffs. LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has proposed laying off over 1,600 government workers to address a nearly $1 billion budget deficit. What we know During her State of the City address on Monday, Bass proposed workforce reductions as a last resort to balance the city's budget amid a slowing economy and increased costs. SUGGESTED: LA Mayor Karen Bass discusses budget, layoffs in State of the City address The proposed layoffs exclude firefighters and sworn police officers. In her address, Bass called the municipal workforce the "city's greatest asset" but said cuts were needed as City Hall wrestles with uncertainty in Washington and higher costs for worker salaries and benefits. The backstory The Palisades Fire in January destroyed over 6,800 structures and claimed at least 12 lives, contributing to the city's financial strain. Late last month, Bass and the city council appealed to Sacramento for nearly $2 billion in disaster recovery aid as the city faces a projected deficit that Bass' office pegged at nearly $1 billion. SUGGESTED: Mayor Bass' deleted text messages from Palisades Fire released Bass' proposed workforce reductions recall the difficult financial stretch of the 2008 recession, when then-Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa ended up slashing thousands of government jobs to keep the books in balance. The other side David Green, president of Service Employees International Union, Local 721, which represents over 10,000 city workers, said the union would be looking for new funding sources and other alternatives to slashing jobs. "We're not going to allow the out-of-touch bureaucrats ... to balance the budget on the backs of city workers," Green said in a statement. SUGGESTED: Fewer than 20% of LA residents approve of Mayor Bass' wildfire response, poll shows Big picture view Despite financial difficulties, Bass highlighted positive developments, such as reduced crime rates and progress in housing homeless individuals. However, she acknowledged the ongoing need for more housing funds and the persistent presence of homeless encampments. SUGGESTED: Mortgage rates jump as tariffs hit markets; biggest spike in nearly a year What's next Bass plans to return to Sacramento this week to seek additional state funds that could reduce the proposed layoffs. The city council will decide on the proposed budget cuts for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The Source Information for this story is from Mayor Bass' State of the City address on Monday, April 21, 2025. City News Service and The Associated Press contributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mayor Bass proposes slashing over 1,600 city jobs to close L.A. budget gap
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Monday proposed laying off more than 1,600 government workers in an attempt to close a nearly $1 billion budget gap amid a slumping economy while the city contends with the costly job of rebuilding a seaside neighborhood leveled in a January wildfire. The prospect of chopping hundreds of government jobs comes as the latest unwelcome news for the first-term Democrat, who will stand for reelection next year. In an address to the city council, Bass called the municipal workforce the 'city's greatest asset' but said cuts were needed as City Hall wrestles with uncertainty in Washington, higher costs for worker salaries and benefits, a slowing economy, and the daunting work of rebuilding the affluent Pacific Palisades community. 'We have a very difficult budget to balance,' Bass said. She called her decision to propose job cuts a 'last resort.' David Green, president of Service Employees International Union, Local 721, which represents over 10,000 city workers, said the union would be looking for new funding sources and other alternatives to slashing jobs. 'We're not going to allow the out-of-touch bureaucrats … to balance the budget on the backs of city workers,' Green said in a statement. Late last month, Bass and the city council appealed to Sacramento for nearly $2 billion in disaster recovery aid as the city faces a projected deficit that Bass' office pegged at nearly $1 billion. She plans to return to Sacramento this week to seek additional state funds that could reduce the proposed layoffs. The Palisades Fire destroyed more than 6,800 structures and killed at least 12 people. It's up to the council to approve the spending blueprint for the fiscal year that begins July 1. No firefighters or sworn police officers would be cut. Bass' proposed work force reductions recall the difficult financial stretch of the 2008 recession, when then-Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa ended up chopping thousands of government jobs to keep the books in balance, pushed municipal workers for the first time to pay toward their pensions and health care, and clashed with the teachers union that once employed him. During the coronavirus pandemic, then-Mayor Eric Garcetti furloughed about 15,000 city workers and offered early retirement packages to others, but avoided outright layoffs at a large scale. Despite the city's shaky financial shape, Bass delivered a mostly upbeat speech to the council, noting that crime had dipped, including homicides, and the city was gradually getting homeless individuals off the streets and into housing. She acknowledged the obvious: Though the numbers point to improvement, homeless encampments remain a familiar sight in neighborhoods across the city and more funds are needed for housing. There is 'much further to go,' she said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
21-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Los Angeles mayor proposes slashing over 1,600 city jobs to close budget hole
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Monday proposed laying off more than 1,600 government workers in an attempt to close a nearly $1 billion budget gap amid a slumping economy while the city contends with the costly job of rebuilding a seaside neighborhood leveled in a January wildfire. The prospect of chopping hundreds of government jobs comes as the latest unwelcome news for the first-term Democrat, who will stand for reelection next year. In an address to the city council, Bass called the municipal workforce the 'city's greatest asset' but said cuts were needed as City Hall wrestles with uncertainty in Washington, higher costs for worker salaries and benefits, a slowing economy, and the daunting work of rebuilding the affluent Pacific Palisades community. "We have a very difficult budget to balance," Bass said. She called her decision to propose job cuts a 'last resort.' David Green, president of Service Employees International Union, Local 721, which represents over 10,000 city workers, said the union would be looking for new funding sources and other alternatives to slashing jobs. 'We're not going to allow the out-of-touch bureaucrats ... to balance the budget on the backs of city workers,' Green said in a statement. Late last month, Bass and the city council appealed to Sacramento for nearly $2 billion in disaster recovery aid as the city faces a projected deficit that Bass' office pegged at nearly $1 billion. She plans to return to Sacramento this week to seek additional state funds that could reduce the proposed layoffs. The Palisades Fire destroyed more than 6,800 structures and killed at least 12 people. It's up to the council to approve the spending blueprint for the fiscal year that begins July 1. No firefighters or sworn police officers would be cut. Bass' proposed work force reductions recall the difficult financial stretch of the 2008 recession, when then-Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa ended up chopping thousands of government jobs to keep the books in balance, pushed municipal workers for the first time to pay toward their pensions and health care, and clashed with the teachers union that once employed him. During the coronavirus pandemic, then-Mayor Eric Garcetti furloughed about 15,000 city workers and offered early retirement packages to others, but avoided outright layoffs at a large scale. Despite the city's shaky financial shape, Bass delivered a mostly upbeat speech to the council, noting that crime had dipped, including homicides, and the city was gradually getting homeless individuals off the streets and into housing. She acknowledged the obvious: Though the numbers point to improvement, homeless encampments remain a familiar sight in neighborhoods across the city and more funds are needed for housing. There is 'much further to go,' she said.
